Willamette soccer player wins Register-Guard boys Athlete of the Week

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Willamette soccer player Elijah Vergara is the winner of the Eugene-Springfield area high school boys Athlete of the Week, as voted by Register-Guard readers.

A senior defender, Vergara earned first-team all-Southwest Conference honors after helping lead the Wolverines to an 8-5-4 season and a run to the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs.

Vergara received 62.67% of the reader poll votes. Willamette football player Hunter Vaughn was second (35.43%).

Here are the other nominees.

Ozzy Canchola, Sheldon soccer

Sheldon senior goalkeeper Ozzy Canchola was named the Southwest Conference goalkeeper of the year after leading the Irish to a 7-5-4 record and a Class 6A state playoff appearance.

Canchola also earned second-team all-league honors as a kicker for Sheldon's football team.

Tony Cumberland, Willamette football

Willamette senior defensive lineman Tony Cumberland was named the Southwest Conference defensive player of the year after leading the Wolverines to a 10-1 season that included a run to the Class 6A state quarterfinals.

Justin Fisher, Thurston football

Thurston senior running back Justin Fisher was named the Midwestern League offensive player of the year after helping the Colts to a 9-2 season that included a trip to the Class 5A state quarterfinals.

Cruz Gray, Thurston football

Thurston senior linebacker Cruz Gray was named the Midwestern League defensive player of the year after helping the Colts to a 10-2 season and a trip to the Class 5A state quarterfinals.

Mikey Johnson, Churchill football

Churchill senior Mike Johnson racked up a team-high eight tackles and also caught a 30-yard pass Nov. 21 during the Class 5A No. 13 Lancers' 28-14 state semifinal loss to No. 1 Summit at Willamette University in Salem.

Jacob Neely, Pleasant Hill

Pleasant Hill senior receiver Jacob Neely was named the Special District 3 offensive player of the year after helping lead the Billies to a 7-3 season and a Class 3A state playoff appearance.

Yosuke Shibata, South Eugene cross-country

South Eugene junior Yosuke Shibata took fourth place with a 5,000-meter time of 14 minutes, 45 seconds on Nov. 15 at the NXR Regional Championships in Spokane, Wash.

With a top-five finish at that meet, Shibata qualified for Nike Cross Nationals on Dec. 6 in Portland.

Finley Thurman, South Eugene soccer

South Eugene senior midfielder Finley Thurman was named the Southwest Conference player of the year after helping the Axe to an 11-4-2 season that included a trip to the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs.

Hunter Vaughn, Willamette football

Willamette senior Hunter Vaughn earned first-team all-league honors as both a receiver and a kick returner after helping the Wolverines to a 10-1 season that included a run to the Class 6A state quarterfinals.

Trayshawn Wright, Churchill football

Churchill senior Trayshawn Wright grabbed an interception, recorded seven tackles and ran for 46 yards on 15 carries during the Class 5A No. 13 Lancers' 28-14 state semifinal loss to No. 1 Summit Nov. 21 at Willamette University in Salem.

To submit an Athlete of the Week nomination, please email Register-Guard sports reporter Jarrid Denney at jdenney@registerguard.com with the athlete's name, stats and any other relevant information about the performance they are being nominated for.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Willamette soccer player wins boys Athlete of the Week

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